Key Advice.

Learning to relax by unlearning desire…

“We tend to complicate our meditation. For example, when we sit, we may determine, “Yes, I’m really going to do it this time.” But that is not the right attitude; nothing will be accomplished that day. Such grasping is natural at first. Some nights, when I would start to sit, I would think, “OK, tonight I won’t get up from my seat until 1:00 A.M., at the earliest.” But before long, my mind would start to kick and rebel until I felt that I would die. What is the point in that?

When you are sitting properly, there is no need to measure or compel. There is no goal, no point to attain. Whether you sit until 7:00 or 8:00 or 9:00 P.M., never mind. Just keep sitting without concern. Do not force yourself. Do not be compulsive. Do not command your heart to do things for certain, for this command will make things all the less certain. Let your mind be at ease, let your breath be even, normal, not short or long or any special way. Let your body be comfortable. Practice steadily and continuously. Desire will ask you, “How late will we go? How long will we practice?” Just shout at it, “Hey don’t bother me!” Keep quelling it, because it is only defilement coming to disturb you. Just say, “If I want to stop early or late, it’s not wrong; if I want to sit all night, who am I hurting?” Cut off desire, and keep sitting in your own way. Let you heart be at ease, and you will become tranquil, free from the power of grasping.” ~from A Still Forest Pool byAchaan Chah compiled and edited by Jack Kornfield

Here is a collection of interviews with the Venerable Achaan Chah. He is a truly amazing man that everyone should here speak at least once. Enjoy!

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